When most people think of US Army vehicles, they naturally picture gas guzzling tanks or far from fuel efficient patrol vehicles. However, that may be about to change.

Bright Automotive Inc has launched eSolutions in an effort to accelerate worldwide electrification and overall platform efficiency and at the heart of the new programme is a newly announced contract from the US Army TACOM to conduct a demonstration project on a low-cost plug-in hybrid electric solution for non-tactical military vehicles.

The eSolutions support team will work with the US Army to demonstrate the parallel hybrid technology for military non-combat use. They will also work with the Army to demonstrate the ability of plug-in hybrid vehicles to deliver power to the grid as part of a $1.4million contract.

The focal point of the agreement will be the Bright IDEA, which is a multi-purpose, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is aimed at commercial and government fleets. Through the eSolutions programme, Bright will offer expert guidance on vehicle design, engineering, energy storage, propulsion, conversions and general consulting.

Indeed the announcement of the Army contract comes just one week after Bright revealed improved performance figures for the IDEA thanks to a new 13kWh battery pack. The IDEA can now travel for 40 miles in electric vehicle mode and then switch to a class leading 36mpg charge sustaining hybrid mode. The initial IDEA had an all-electric range of 30 miles.